Carpoxylon macrospermum
Description
Carpoxylon macrospermum, commonly known as the Carpoxylon Palm or Big-Seed Palm, is a rare and striking tropical palm known for its robust trunk, large seeds, and lush, feathery fronds. This palm is prized for its ornamental beauty and majestic appearance, making it a standout feature in any garden or landscape.
Flowers
The Carpoxylon Palm produces small, cream-colored flowers that grow in large, branched inflorescences among the leaves. These flowers are followed by large, distinctive seeds, which contribute to the palm's common name.
Foliage
The leaves are pinnate and gracefully arching, with numerous narrow leaflets arranged along the length of the frond. Each frond can reach up to 2-3 meters in length. The leaflets are bright green, providing a lush, tropical canopy. The crownshaft is a smooth, green extension of the trunk, adding to the palm's ornamental appeal.
Fruit
The fruit is a large, round drupe that turns from green to red or black as it matures. The fruit contains a big seed, which is one of the defining characteristics of this palm.
Form and Size
The Carpoxylon Palm typically grows to a height of 15-20 meters with a spread of 4-6 meters. It has a stout, smooth trunk that is topped with a crown of arching fronds. The trunk is grey and ringed with leaf scars, contributing to its impressive appearance.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, rich, organic soil. It thrives in moist, fertile conditions and can tolerate a range of soil types.
- Sunlight: Grows best in full sun to partial shade. It requires plenty of sunlight to maintain its vibrant foliage color.
- Water: Requires regular watering, especially during dry periods. It prefers consistently moist soil.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It is frost-sensitive and should be protected from cold temperatures and strong winds.
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for use as a specimen tree, focal point, or in group plantings. It is suitable for large gardens, parks, and public spaces.
- Ornamental: The large, feathery fronds and robust trunk provide a dramatic and exotic look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any landscape.
- Coastal Gardens: Tolerates salt spray, making it suitable for coastal landscapes.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged fronds to maintain appearance.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal diseases. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Carpoxylon Palm is a versatile and elegant palm that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or landscape. Its unique large seeds, lush fronds, and robust trunk make it a favorite among palm enthusiasts and landscape designers.
Companion Plants
- Heliconia spp. (Heliconia)
- Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger)
- Codiaeum variegatum (Croton)
- Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
Common Name
Carpoxylon Palm, Big-Seed Palm
Botanical Name
Carpoxylon macrospermum
Family
Arecaceae
Origin
Endemic to Vanuatu in the South Pacific
Read lessPlease note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
